Intramural soccer tournament brings global spirit to Augustana

The Augustana Green was bustling with excitement as intramural soccer players transformed the field into an international stage for their opening game in the World Cup Soccer Tournament on Wednesday, April 2. 

The intramural event, hosted by Augustana Recreational Services, called for students to team up and pick which global soccer teams they wanted to represent. Among the teams were those representing Argentina, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, Ethiopia, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Norway and Eritrea, each team bringing its flair, strategy and competitiveness to the field.

Senior Julio Silvestre originally sparked the idea for a global theme. Silvestre, who is originally from the Dominican but lives in Panama City, and other players thought it would be fun to have a theme this spring unlike in the past years. The tournament aimed to promote teamwork, inclusivity and diversity.

The International Programs Office provided each team with a flag to support the country they picked. Teams used these flags for pictures and motivation for the fans. While some teams chose countries that are powerhouses in the soccer world, others chose countries that hold personal or cultural significance.

Senior Mattie Tschetter, playing for team Australia, shared a sentimental reason behind her team's pick. 

“One of our team members was unable to play with us this spring because they are studying abroad in Australia, so we chose Australia to represent him,” Tschetter said.

She also discussed how other teams such as Ethiopia chose their country because most of the players are from there. She said it was a great opportunity for them to feel connected to their home. 

For Tschetter, soccer has been a large part of her life since she was young. The tournament not only allowed her to continue building her soccer skills, but it exposed her to new cultures and teammates that she will remember long after she graduates.  

“I actually never heard about the country Eritrea before,” Tschetter said. “It’s cool to see players represent them.”

Meanwhile, the students on team Argentina chose to represent the country because of its strong legacy in the soccer world and their shared love for Lionel Messi, a professional Argentinian soccer player. 

“They gave us an Argentinian flag,” three-time intramural soccer champion Henry Rollins said. “I mean, it just felt like you were really in a World Cup tournament.” 

The team is hoping their winning legacy will lead them to another victory. 

Senior Rollins, who has been playing soccer in his home country Honduras since he was a seventh grader, already has an impressive record under his belt. His high school team went to the national tournament for all bilingual schools and placed third, and he was a member of that tournament’s all-star team. 

Rollins said being part of the intramural soccer team has led him to some of his best friends.

“You always try to bring new things, new perspectives to the table,” Rollins said.

Junior Abel Alene, who is playing for the Netherlands, said he has had a blast with his teammates and enjoyed the theme this year. Alene lived in the Netherlands for four years when he was younger, ultimately inspiring his motivation to represent the Netherlands in the tournament. 

“This is a unique theme that we added to the intramural, and it’s been a great time,” Abel said.

As the tournament continues, competitiveness increases. But for players like Rollins, Abel and Tschetter, the event isn’t just about winning; it’s about connecting with different cultures and having fun with teammates. The variety of countries allows players to engage with global soccer culture in ways they never thought of before.

“The chance to have a competitive atmosphere is exciting for me,” Tschetter said. “We’re all friends, so it’s fun to do something like this together.”

The tournament will continue until May. Currently, Ethiopia sits in first, Eritrea in second and the Netherlands in third. As the tournament progresses, teams will continue to battle it out and build healthy competition.